Excitement surrounding the LA Chargers is tangible now that Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz have stepped in as head coach and general manager. Given the cap situation, Harbaugh hasn't made any immediate splash moves, but the Chargers made savvy low-cost signings in free agency and parlayed it with a strong showing in the NFL Draft.
The selection of Joe Alt fifth overall disappointed fans who wanted LA to draft a receiver for Justin Herbert, but it should help keep Herbert healthy. Getting Ladd McConkey at the top of round two should give Herbert an excellent possession receiver in the middle of the field.
While questions loom about how Herbert and the offense will look under new OC Greg Roman, it’ll perhaps be more interesting to see how the defense performs under Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.
What the defense can’t afford this year is another devastating injury before Week 1. Well, with OTAs getting underway one of the Chargers top draft picks is already banged up.
Chargers rookie Junior Colson already injured at OTAS
Per Daniel Popper of The Athletic, Colson walked off roughly 40 minutes into the Chargers’ first practice on Monday before they started 11-on-11 team drills. Free-agent signing Denzel Perryman and second-year pro Daiyan Henley took most of the reps at linebacker in Colson's stead.
Rookie LB Junior Colson walked off the field with trainers about 40 mins into #Chargers OTA today.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) May 20, 2024
The severity of Colson's injury is unclear, but it seemingly isn't a serious one. Regardless, this is a sight that's all to familiar for Chargers fans.
The Chargers selected Colson with the No. 69 overall pick in the third round. A former standout at Michigan, Colson's familiarity with Harbaugh as well as Minter's defensive scheme has been on full display at both rookie minicamp and OTAs.
Colson has reportedly impressed with his pre-snap communication and is even instructing teammates where to be in certain packages. While Colson might not be given the green dot as a rookie (Perryman will likely get that responsibility), he's going to start and play a ton of snaps.
It's encouraging that Colson was able to walk off under his own power. The Chargers have yet to disclose the nature and extent of his injury. Until then, Bolts fans will have to hold their breath and hope Colson is back on the practice field in short order.
A big injury to a promising rookie would be a devastating way to kick off the Harbaugh era.